How to Get a Cuba IP Address From Anywhere in 2025

To get a Cuba IP and browse local services and apps securely, you need a VPN with a virtual Cuba server. Due to a US embargo and local data laws, most VPNs don’t host physical servers in Cuba. This makes it difficult to safely access local services, like Apklis, EnZona, and Picta.

Why is it so hard to access Cuban apps or websites from abroad? Roughly 71.3% of Cuba’s population is online¹ (Trading Economics), yet many national platforms are geo-restricted or rely on Cuba’s internal network. Services often fail to load without a Cuban IP, and some apps won’t function without a local SIM. A VPN with a Cuban virtual location is the only practical way to access them consistently and safely.

Even if you travel to Cuba, a VPN is an important security tool to protect your privacy while using local sites. Cuban internet is tightly regulated and almost all public WiFi goes through the government-controlled ETECSA. Only VPNs with military-grade encryption, robust privacy policies, and some form of obfuscation can provide a semblance of online privacy.

How To Get a Cuba IP Address: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re outside Cuba, you can simply download a VPN and connect to a server in Cuba. If you’re traveling there, the best advice is to download and install the VPN before you go. Due to a US embargo and government blocks, official app stores and VPN sites are not available in Cuba. So, you may be unable to get a private Cuban IP address from within the country.

How do you download a VPN in Cuba? There were over 89,000 fresh installs of just one VPN following government internet disruptions in 2022². While some official VPN sites remain accessible in the country, others can only be found via mirror sites or unofficial sources. However, this risks unwittingly installing software that doesn’t work or contains malware.

Below, we’ll show you how to safely download and install a VPN from inside or outside Cuba:

1. Get a VPN

Choose a tried-and-tested VPN with servers in or near Cuba. The easiest and most reliable way is to pay and sign up for the VPN and then download and install the apps on all your devices before you travel there. The best VPNs are compatible with Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, at the very least. You should also sign in to the apps at least once and save your credentials somewhere for future use in Cuba.

You can install the app and connect to a Cuban server in under 5 minutes

2. Configure the VPN

Launch the VPN app and log in with your credentials. Enable the kill switch feature to prevent data leaks if your connection drops unexpectedly. Also, turn on the automatic WiFi protection if available — this will activate the VPN whenever you connect to public networks in Cuba.

3. Connect to a Server

Look for the server labeled “Cuba” and connect to it. ExpressVPN is one of the very few VPNs that provide a Cuban IP. However, you may get secure access to local services by connecting to nearby servers, like in the Bahamas, Miami, and Panama. If you’re in Cuba, these locations will also secure your connection without sacrificing too much speed, but they won’t give you a Cuba IP address.

Click the star next to the Cuba server to save it for quicker connections

4. Browse Cuban Sites Securely

You can now safely access Cuban websites, apps, and services. Check that your new Cuban IP is working by using an IP lookup tool. Keep the VPN connected to protect your data from surveillance and monitoring, especially while using public WiFi in Cuba. Also, ensure the kill switch is on — this will prevent session data from leaking if you disconnect the VPN while using banking services like EnZona.

The VPN interface should clearly indicate whether your connection is active

Best VPN for Getting a Cuba IP Address in 2025

Due to the ongoing embargo and government surveillance, VPNs typically don’t offer servers in Cuba. ExpressVPN was the only reliable exception we found. It offers Cuban IPs via virtual servers that are physically hosted elsewhere. Plus, it offers obfuscation, which essentially hides the fact that you’re using a VPN.

1. ExpressVPN — Fastest Nearby Servers for Reliable Access to Cuban Content

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ExpressVPN is the only major VPN with a working Cuba IP address, making it possible to securely access Cuban sites from anywhere. Although the server is in the Netherlands, it’s still very fast. We got an average speed of 182.79Mbps using ExpressVPN’s Cuba server, which is more than enough for UHD streaming (requires 25Mbps). We could watch videos on Picta or shop on Enviocuba without any noticeable delays.

Even better, all ExpressVPN servers are automatically obfuscated. This means your VPN connections look like normal internet traffic, which is a major plus when using Cuba’s restrictive networks. Combined with military-grade 256-bit encryption, a verified no-logs policy, and a kill switch, your data is as safe as possible from snoops. We also ran numerous WebRTC/IP leak tests, and ExpressVPN didn’t expose any of our information.

You’ll need to pay a bit more for ExpressVPN, but it’s a bargain considering it’s one of the few options (if not the only one) to get a Cuban IP address. Plus, you can test it risk-free thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. As a bonus, Spanish language support is built into ExpressVPN's apps and 24/7 live chat, making it easy to get help in your preferred language.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs for Getting a Cuba IP Address

We focused primarily on finding VPNs with Cuba servers that could reliably provide access to local content while keeping your data and identity private. Due to the lack of servers and infrastructure in Cuba, we also tested server locations in neighboring countries, like Panama and Miami. Fast and stable connections are also a must, as the internet in Cuba tends to be slow and unreliable, so keep an eye out for that.

We also looked for essential security and privacy tools, like strong encryption and obfuscation, to protect VPN users from surveillance and restrictions. Not to mention features like IP/DNS and kill switch tests to prevent exposure on Cuba’s unreliable WiFi or mobile networks. It’s best to run your own IP leak tests once you get the VPN to ensure it’s the right fit for you.

Internet and VPN Restrictions in Cuba

Cuba has one of the most controlled and surveilled internet environments. State-owned telecom company ETECSA is the only ISP and mobile provider, giving the government total control over internet infrastructure. Public WiFi hotspots — the main way Cubans access the internet — are operated by ETECSA, serving as a tool for monitoring as much as for connectivity. The country has a very low internet freedom score of 20/100³ (Freedom House).

A US embargo also means that many tech companies block their apps and services in Cuba. Normal Google Play and Apple App Stores are inaccessible there, for example. The embargo also prevents commercial VPNs from operating data centers in the country, not to mention Cuba’s invasive data collection laws. This makes it hard to use Cuban sites, like Apklis (Cuba's official app store), Picta, and EnZona, abroad.

According to Decree-Law 370, the government may penalize the spread of misinformation. In practice, this includes criticism of the government on social media. Decree 35 and Resolution 105 expand state control by defining dissent as a “cybersecurity incident,” allowing for content removal, internet shutdowns, and potential imprisonment.

VPN and independent news sites like 14ymedio and CiberCuba have been repeatedly blocked. During major protests, such as the July 11, 2021, demonstrations, the government temporarily implemented near-total internet blackouts and targeted VPN services. While VPNs are not outright illegal, their use is often disrupted through packet filtering and protocol throttling.

Traveling to Cuba? How To Get a Secure Cuban IP Address There

You need careful planning if you want to use a VPN in the country to browse local sites safely using a Cuban IP. It’s often impossible to download or access VPNs once you’re in the country due to government restrictions and US sanctions. It can also be challenging to use VPNs on ETECSA public WiFi hotspots due to issues with reliability and restrictions.

Download Apps Before You Go

• Install your VPN on all devices. Set it up on your phone, laptop, and tablet while still at home.
• Get the app from official stores early. The Google Play Store and Apple App Store are not available in Cuba, so install your VPN before traveling.
• Download offline installers. Save the.exe or.apk files in case you need to reinstall the VPN without internet access later. Manually store your login credentials or activation code in case you need them.

Configure Manual Settings as Backup (Optional)

It’s possible to manually configure a VPN connection on your device. This may sometimes work to get a Cuban IP if you don’t have success with the actual VPN app. You can usually find the credentials you need for this in your VPN account dashboard:

• iOS. Go to Settings > VPN > Add VPN Configuration and select IKEv2. Enter your server address, remote ID, and login credentials.
• Android. Navigate to Connections > More connection settings > VPN to add a profile using IKEv2 or OpenVPN.
• Save your details. Keep login credentials, server addresses, and authentication info available offline.

Using Public WiFi Safely in Cuba

• Connect to WiFi first. Join the ETECSA hotspot network before launching your VPN, or else the captive portal may not appear.
• Use auto-connect features. Set your VPN to launch automatically on unknown or untrusted networks.
• Enable the kill switch. This will prevent your device from sending unprotected data if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.

What If You’re Already in Cuba?

Some VPNs offer alternative mirror URLs from which you can download their apps if the official website is blocked in a country. However, you shouldn’t rely solely on these, as they might also be inaccessible. It’s highly likely that live chat support will be unavailable in Cuba, but you should be able to contact support via email to get the latest mirror URL.

It’s also possible to download a VPN app by connecting to a VPN server outside Cuba. However, you already need a working VPN set up on at least one device. It may also not be 100% reliable due to interference by Cuban ISPs.

FAQs on Getting a Cuba IP Address

Is it legal to use a VPN to get a Cuba IP?

Using a VPN to get a Cuban IP address is legal in most countries, but VPN use in Cuba sits in a legal gray area. While they aren’t banned, many VPNs don’t operate in the country because of government restrictions. ExpressVPN offers virtual servers located elsewhere that offer a Cuba IP, allowing users to safely access local sites without the risk of government data requests.

The Cuban authorities have blocked VPN websites and apps in the past, particularly during protests. However, there are no publicized cases of individuals being charged or prosecuted for using them. Still, if you're in Cuba, use VPNs cautiously and primarily for securing public WiFi or accessing essential online services.

Can I use a free VPN to change my Cuba IP address?

No, there likely aren’t any free VPNs with servers in Cuba. Not even some of the best VPNs for Cuba offer servers in the country. In fact, because free VPNs usually have smaller server networks in fewer locations, they might not even host options nearby.  A better option is to go with a premium VPN that has a vast global server network and a money-back guarantee.

Free VPNs are also not nearly as safe to use as premium VPNs. They typically don’t offer the same level of encryption, built-in security features, or no-logs policies that have been independently audited. That may leave you exposed when using public WiFi, which you will be dependent on a lot in Cuba. In fact, many of them make money by selling user IPs or data, injecting websites with trackers or ads, or infecting devices with malware, like ransomware.

How do I get Cuban apps outside the country?

A VPN is required to safely access the Apklis website and download Cuban apps. Apklis is the largest app store for Cuba, as the Google Play and Apple App Stores are not available there. It hosts Android apps that work in Cuba, but it’s not always available to users in other countries. Connecting to a VPN to get a Cuba IP is the only way to safely access Apklis from anywhere.

How do I make sure that my Cuba IP works?

If you are already connected to the VPN, you can use vpnMentor’s free IP checker to see whether your IP has changed. If you still see your original IP, you should check whether you followed the correct steps to connect to get a Cuba IP.

If you are still having issues, try disconnecting and reconnecting the VPN or use a different server. You may also have to close your browser and delete your cache and cookies. If all else fails, you can always contact the VPN’s customer support team.

Are there other ways (aside from a VPN) to change your Cuba IP address?

Yes, but none are as safe or reliable as premium VPNs. Proxy services can change your IP, but these don’t provide encryption to secure your connection, so they can’t keep you safe, especially in Cuba. Premium VPNs offer military-grade 256-bit encryption and change both your IP address and DNS to keep your data private.

By physically routing your traffic through servers located in other parts of the world and frequently updating their IPs, VPNs are much less likely to get blocked. On the other hand, there’s little chance you can use proxies in a heavily censored country like Cuba. Proxies also typically have smaller server networks, which means you might not find one in the country.

References

1. https://tradingeconomics.com/cuba/individuals-using-the-internet-percent-of-population-wb-data.html/
2. https://www.techradar.com/news/vpn-downloads-soar-in-cuba-following-internet-disruptions/
3. https://freedomhouse.org/country/cuba/freedom-net/2024/